THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 4, 1995 TAG: 9505040362
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DEBBIE MESSINA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
Today there's a sandy beach along an 800-foot stretch of shoreline that the Oceana Naval Air Station owns on Owl Creek.
On Saturday afternoon it will be transformed into wetlands by dozens of volunteers and 14,000 sprigs of cord grass and salt meadow hay. The man-made wetland, when complete, will occupy a half-acre.
Across the water, volunteers also will plant about 4,500 sprigs of the same material between the Virginia Marine Science Museum's main building and the salt marsh building that's under construction.
The planting is significant because Owl Creek boasts the last undeveloped salt marsh in Virginia Beach with direct access to the Atlantic Ocean. Because of its high salinity and direct link to the ocean, it attracts a diverse population of wildlife.
It is also remarkable because it has continued to thrive even though it is close to the densely populated Oceanfront.
The Virginia Marine Science Museum, Oceana Naval Air Station and the city's Habitat Enhancement Committee are sponsoring the project.
The east side of Owl Creek, where the museum is located, is already in wetlands. The planting will restore some wetlands near the city's Erosion Control Commission building in preparation for the December opening of the museum's boardwalk trail and salt marsh building.
The museum is required to do the planting as mitigation for disturbing some wetlands while constructing its addition.
Across the water on the west side, the Navy has designated more than 50 acres of salt marsh along Owl Creek for a wildlife preserve, one of only two designated natural areas in the nation that is owned by the military.
The Navy voluntarily built a breakwater structure and backfilled to create the wetland.
The city's Habitat Enhancement Committee purchased the plant material at $2,800 with money from wetlands fines and will help supply the volunteers. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Owls Creek Tidal Wetlands Restoration Project will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday. To volunteer to help plant, call 437-4949 or 427-4305. Volunteers should dress appropriately in boots and work clothes as it is a muddy job. by CNB